Creative Writing Program

Recent program graduate and current Master’s student Maya Chorney discusses why she chose Carleton’s English program and its Creative Writing Concentration. Known for supportive and collegial writing workshops, a close-knit student and faculty community, and opportunities to build a polished writing portfolio in multiple genres, the Creative Writing Concentration has enabled Maya to hone her skills as a budding novelist.

Creative Writing Concentration

Starting at the second-year level, Carleton’s Creative Writing Concentration offers an inspiring selection of workshop-based courses in such genres as fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, screenwriting, and more. Taught by published authors and critics, our workshops are small enough to give students personalized feedback on their writing. For more information on our selection of workshops, program requirements, and the application process, please click here.

Program highlights include our innovative experiential learning course “Editing a Literary Magazine”, where students gain hands-on experience in literary publishing by producing the annual issue of Sumac, our online literary magazine. In their final year, Concentration students may complete an Independent Creative Writing Project under the supervision of a faculty member. Our annual Spring Showcase gives students a platform to present their writing to a supportive audience of peers and faculty.

Studying Creative Writing at Carleton

• Guides students as they explore and develop their writing practices in a range of literary modes
• Fosters students’ capacity to revise their own work and that of their peers, thus building confidence as students cultivate their writing community and refine their practices
• Encourages curiosity in our students as they transfer skills from their creative practice to any number of communication-oriented careers

Visit the Creative Writing Hub to find out more about events, resources, and student success stories.

Opportunities for students not registered in the Concentration

Students not registered in the Creative Writing Concentration can still pursue their love of writing at Carleton. ENGL 1500, “Introduction to Creative Writing“, is open to students from across the university and introduces them to the workshop experience and the process of writing and revising their own stories, poems, and personal narratives.

Students in any discipline may also apply to take our creative writing workshops, though Creative Writing Concentration students will be given priority at registration. Writing circles in fiction and poetry, the English Literature Society (ELS), our annual poetry competitions, departmental author visits, and literary events welcome students from across Carleton.

Experiential Learning

At Carleton, building a creative writing practice happens inside and outside the classroom. The writing professionals who lead our workshops provide students with the opportunity to actively and consistently share, discuss, and revise their writing within a supportive environment. Students attend readings, theatre, or exhibits at the Carleton University Art Gallery as part of their development as writers. The Book Arts Lab in MacOdrum Library is a popular spot for Creative Writing students to transform their poems and stories into chapbooks and broadsides. Student groups such as the English Literature Society and student-led writing circles contribute to the experiential depth of Creative Writing at Carleton. The English Department also actively fosters a relationship with the rich literary community here in Ottawa, including the Ottawa International Writers Festival and the annual Munro Beattie Lecture which invites writers and critics to celebrate literary studies in Canada and speak on issues of importance to the general public, as well as the academic world.

Student-Focused Events

Creative Writing students benefit from the professional writers who visit the department to read from and discuss their work and experiences in the publishing world. Such writers include Tyler Pennock, the FASS Indigenous Artist-in-Residence, celebrated poet Eileen Myles, and mystery author Katie Tallo.

We also host an annual Spring Showcase of Literary and Dramatic Arts, providing an opportunity for students to present their writing or performances to a supportive audience of peers and community members. And we also organize competitions in both fiction and poetry, adjudicated by acclaimed local writers.

Meet Your Instructors

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David Stymeist

• Email David

Nadia Bozak

• Associate Professor
• Email Nadia

Pixie Cram

• Email Pixie

Meet Faculty affiliated with Creative Writing

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Adam Barrows

• Professor
• Email Adam

Monia Mazigh

• Adjunct Research Professor
• Email Monia

Nduka Otiono

• Director, Institute of African Studies; Professor (Department of English; Institute of African Studies)
• Email Nduka
• 613-520-2600 ext 2410

Meet an Alum! Success Stories

Career Path Highlights: Author, Editor, Community arts organizer, Grant writing, Teacher

Program Requirements

The Creative Writing Concentration adds creative depth to an Honours English B.A. The designation “Concentration in Creative Writing” will appear on students’ official transcript after completing the following 3.0 credits:

• Two second-year writing workshops (fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and/ or special topics) for which the student’s portfolio (writing samples and brief biographical statement) has been assessed and accepted.
• Two third-year writing workshops (fiction, poetry, screenwriting, and/ or special topics) for which the student’s portfolio (writing samples and brief biographical statement) has been assessed and accepted.
• A half-credit “genre study” course (such as children’s literature, science fiction, genre-based studies in the novel, poetry, or drama). Click here to see the full list of courses which satisfy degree requirement #8.
• A fourth-year course in publishing or an advanced writing workshop.

Click here for more information about admission to workshops, including deadlines and portfolio requirements.

Internal Admission

Eligible Carleton students can declare the Creative Writing Concentration through the change of program elements feature in Carleton Central. The Concentration is only awarded when all the program requirements have been successfully completed. Creative Writing workshops can count toward a student’s graduation requirements even if the Concentration is not completed.

Questions? Let’s Talk!

Professor Nadia Bozak, Creative Writing Coordinator

Professor Sara Jamieson, Undergraduate Advisor

Stephanie LeBlanc, Undergraduate Administrator